If you have ever owned a Freehold NJ home with an asphalt driveway, the term sealcoating is probably familiar to you. Many people, however, don’t actually know what sealcoating is and whether or not it is necessary. To begin to understand sealcoating, you need to understand asphalt. Asphalt, which is actually shorthand used in place of asphalt concrete, is a combination of stone and rock mixed with a crude oil product. The crude oil is what is used as a binder in asphalt by using a process of distillation.
Asphalt is primarily used for road construction and driveways. Over time, U.V. rays, chemicals, and moisture can break down the binder in the asphalt and the surface will begin to turn weak, causing cracks and holes. The more cracks and holes in the surface of the asphalt, the weaker it becomes by allowing moisture into those places, breaking down the asphalt further.
What sealcoating in Freehold NJ does is provide an additional layer on the surface of the asphalt to protect it from various negative influences.
The main purpose of sealcoating is protection. When applied appropriately, sealcoating provides essential safeguarding against harmful stimuli such as rain, snow, sleet, motor oil, antifreeze, and U.V. rays. With a protective layer applied, water seepage into the asphalt is greatly reduced, thereby increasing the longevity of the surface.
Another positive result of using sealcoating is an improvement in general appearance. As asphalt ages, it will lose its deep black color due to oxidation and weatherization. A fresh layer of sealcoating will freshen up the surface resulting in a clean surface that looks pristine. It fills in cracks, reduces depressions, and covers up rough patches. With the surface more uniform, there is improved waterproofing. As a result, rain and water will help to wash away dirt and soil, helping to keep the surface look cleaner and brand new longer.
Lastly, sealcoating in Freehold NJ can save you money.
Applying a coat of sealant be relatively inexpensive. To apply a layer of sealcoating every few years to your asphalt extends the life of that surface and is much less expensive than resurfacing.
While it is not a necessary addition, sealcoating can prolong the life of an asphalt surface. When recommended, it should only be applied every three to five years. Even with all these positive aspects of applying it, sealcoating is not magic. If the primary application of asphalt is not done correctly, sealcoating will not fix any major issues. It can only enhance properly constructed asphalt surfaces. Sealcoating can help repair minor damages to the surface of the asphalt, but cannot mend major problems. You can think of like applying paint to a wood surface. It will beautify the wood, protect the surface, and hide minor imperfections, but won’t improve the wood itself. If you are unsure if your asphalt surface could benefit from a layer of sealcoating, contact your trusted Freehold sealcoating team at TDM Construction to evaluate your asphalt pad. When applied by a professional, the inexpensive treatment of sealcoating can save you money in the long run by prolonging the life of the original application of asphalt.
